The history of the Arkansas Consistory No. 1 Camp Guard within the Grand Consistory, Orient of Little Rock, now the Valley of Little Rock, is a tale steeped in intrigue and innovation. Established between 1891 and 1898 by Ill. Charles E. Rosenbaum, 33°, the precise founding date remains somewhat elusive, adding an air of mystery to its inception.
As outlined by Ill. Bro. Rosenbaum in a 1911 article in the New Age Magazine, the genesis of the Camp Guard found its roots in Little Rock, arising from a need to enhance the delivery of the thirty-second degree ritual to be more impactful on the candidate. The original structure of the ritual confined its complexity to only a handful of brothers. This presented challenges in making the degree more of a drama.
Rosenbaum's vision was revolutionary: to decentralize the execution of the degree and distribute its narrative among a broader group, especially the explanation of the Scottish Rite Camp in the thirty-second degree. Hence, the idea of a Camp Guard was conceived and gradually brought to life. Initially comprising fourteen brethren, the Camp Guard evolved from a daunting endeavor into a reality through the persistent dedication and guidance of brethren like Ill. John H. Fraser, 33°, who served as its second Drill Master, now called Captain.
Beyond its involvement in the ritual, the Camp Guard, dubbed “Charlie’s Pets” and the “Pride of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General,” has expanded its role in various ceremonial functions. Members, meticulously trained and attired in distinct robes and uniforms, have become integral to events beyond the ritual—serving as the reception committee at social functions, honor guard at funerals, and color guard at Scottish Rite events.
The uniform of the Camp Guard has changed several times. The original uniform was black with gold stripes down the pants, white gloves, a beautifully crafted saber forged exclusively for the Camp Guard, and the word "Arkansas" and the letters "A.& A.S.R." on the collars. All members wore a large gold stripe around their sleeve accompanied by a double-headed eagle. The captain had two additional thin stripes and officers had one thin stripe above the large stripe. In addition to their black uniform, they also had a similar white uniform with a gold and violet stripe down their pant leg. The white uniform was worn at the opening ceremony of the House of the Temple and is the Camp Guard's longest worn uniform. They would often combine the two uniforms by wearing the black hat and coat with their white pants and shoes.
The current uniform looks similar to the U.S. Army Service Uniform or "Dress Blues" with a distinctive black medal displayed on their left breast. This medal is a teutonic tau cross with a double-headed eagle. During meetings of the Valley of Little Rock, members will wear their respective name-tag with the Camp Guard jewel if they are a 32° mason. In 2023, the Camp Guard leadership made the decision to reintroduce the original black uniform and it is expected to make its debut during the spring 2014 reunion.
The Arkansas Consistory flag, to this day used during the posting of the colors at Valley meetings and reunions, was donated by Camp Guard member P. H. McCarthy. Bro. McCarthy donated the beautifully embroidered flag to commemorate his long service to the Camp Guard. This flag can be dated to anywhere between 1902 to 1913.
Through the years, the Camp Guard's exploits have been documented in publications such as "The New Age Magazine" and "The Freemason," highlighting their involvement in significant events like the House of the Temple's opening ceremony, a ceremony honoring Ill. Fay Hempstead, 33° crowning him the 3rd “Poet Laureate of Freemasonry”, and serving as ushers and guards for a luncheon honoring then President and Brother Theodore Roosevelt at the Albert Pike Consistory building in Little Rock on October 25, 1905.
Ill. Bro. Rosenbaum notably chaired the construction committee for the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C. Its dedication in 1915 witnessed the Camp Guard from Arkansas Consistory No.1 (Little Rock, Ark.), Albert Pike Consistory (Washington, D.C.), and Louisiana Grand Consistory standing proudly as the honor guard—a remarkable moment underscoring the Camp Guard's importance within the Scottish Rite.
After its inception in Arkansas, the idea of a “Camp Guard” or just “Guard” spread across the Southern Jurisdiction and Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. At one time most valleys in the Southern Jurisdiction had a Camp Guard type of organization. Today, there are few of these organizations left and many have faded into history.
The Camp Guard is committed to their legacy of loyalty, dedication, and excellence, enriching the heritage of the Valley of Little Rock, Orient of Arkansas. In its steadfast commitment to tradition, the Arkansas Consistory No. 1 Camp Guard remains an enduring emblem of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite’s timeless legacy and ongoing pursuit of more light.
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